A-BAR pistol bayonet

In the arms sector, thanks to straordinarin advances in technology, the products have reached a level of efficiency and reliability very high. But in recent decades has grown enormously a field parallel to that of weapons: the accessories sector. Among the many products on the market, our attention was drawn to an article sympathetic and attractive but decidedly quirky and questionable practice: The bayonet gun.

The project is a collaboration between the Ka-Bar, one of the oldest and most famous American knife factories based in Olean, in the State of New York, and the LaserLyte, a company located in Cottonwood, Arizona, specializing in design and manufacture of laser sighting systems for hunting, defense and tactical use. The guns of the latest generations are all equipped with Picatinny slides that allows mounting on the weapon itself different types of laser sighting systems, flashlights, red dot optics brackets, etc..

Now, thanks to Ka-Bar/LaserLyte, you can equip your handgun also bayonet. This cute boxcutter has a handle in nylon reinforced with fiberglass, which recalls the shape of the famous soldier’s knife Ka-Bar supplied to the U.S. military. This handgrip, 65 mm long. Manages to accommodate fatigue three fingers and is equipped with a kind of guard which acts as a stop for the index finger. To be fair, thanks to burglary knurled thumb formed on the proximal part of the back of the blade, the grip of this minicoltello is acceptable and you can use this curious accessory to make cuts and operations consistent with its small size.

The stainless steel blade has a length of 8 cm., The maximum height is 29 mm. and the thickness is 3 mm. The finish is matte black and has a Teflon coating to make it less prone to scratches. Sharpening is well executed and the thread is quite sharp as befits a blade designed to perform accurate and fine cuts. The boxcutter-bayonet comes with a plastic sheath very simple but functional. Completely covers the blade and hangs on it by its upper-rear corner. To remove just push the edge outwards and remove the sheath. On the back of the handle there are two tabs for insertion on the sled Picatinny formed in the barrel of the weapon. On the side of the handle there are two spring buttons that allow to retract the two appendices which block the fins to the slide.

81mm Mortar

The mortar is basically a very simple idea. Take a metal pipe, screw a plug in one end, prop it up at the right angle, and drop a shell down the hole. The round carries its own propulsion charge, which is fired by a firing pin set into the base of the mortar barrel. The design is simple and effective, and enables a small number of men to engage an enemy at considerable distance.

There are several different calibres of mortar, from the 51mm which can be carried and operated by one man, to the large crew-served mortars of 160mm, firing a 40kg projectile over ranges of up to 10km.

The L16 81mm medium mortar has served the British Army well for 30 years. It fires a 4.2kg high explosive bomb, with a cast iron casing designed to break into fragments of the optimum size. The propelling charge is clipped to the tail, using up to six charges to suit the desired range. Other rounds available are smoke, white phosphorous and an illuminating parachute flare.

The L16 breaks down into three manpackable loads: Baseplate (11.6kg), Barrel (12.7kg), Mounting (12.3kg) and sight unit (1.25kg). It has a maximum range of 5,650m, and can be fired at up to 15 rounds per minute. The mortar can also be mounted in a vehicle, such as an APC, firing through the roof hatch, to keep pace with a mechanised advance.

An 81 mm mortar is a medium-weight mortar. It is a smooth-bore, muzzle-loading, high-angle-of-fire weapon used for long-range indirect fire support to light infantry, air assault, and airborne units across the entire front of a battalion zone of influence.

Many countries use an 81 mm mortar in their armed forces. Examples are:

• Finland – 81 KRH 71 Y
• Myanmar – BA-90 mortar
• United Kingdom – L16 81mm mortar
• United States – M252 mortar

Patria Vammas 120mm Long-Range trailer mortar

The 120 mm Long-Range trailer mortar was developed by Patria Vammas and Patria Vehicles to meet the requirements of the Finnish Defence Forces and is installed in the trailer unit of the NA-112 GT rubber-tracked all-terrain vehicle. The weapon involved is either the Patria Vammas 120 mm Long-Rangeor Standard model, both of which can be either fired from the trailer or dismounted for firing on the ground.

Maximum speed of the NA-112 GT on roads is 65 km/h and 4 km/h in water, using its tracks for propulsion. There is storage in the vehicle for 18 rounds of 120 mm HE mortar ammunition. Both time into and time out of action are immediate as there is no need to prepare the vehicle before firing. On carriage traverse is 24º either side and elevation is from +45º to +85º. Gross vehicle weight is 7,400 kg.

Insight Technology AN/PEQ-6 laser aiming module

The AN/PEQ-6 Laser Aiming Module (LAM) was developed by Insight Technology, the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane River. It was developed primarily for use with the Heckler and Koch 0.45 Mk 23 Mod 0 USSOCOM pistol, although it can be adapted for use with MP5 series sub-machine guns, Beretta 92 series (M9) and Glock series pistols.

Although the AN/PEQ-6 LAM has been selected for the USSOCOM pistol, it is understood that procurement has been delayed pending a funding decision.

The Insight Technology AN/PEQ-6 LAM contains both visible and infra-red lasers for aiming, an infra-red illuminator and a visible white light illuminator/flashlight. The one-piece unit, also containing the mounting hardware and batteries, is constructed using advanced polymers and composites for strength and durability. The unit is also waterproof for a duration of over two hours down to depths of 20 m and has been tested to ensure it will endure over 30,000 rounds of weapon fire.

The LAM infra-red laser aiming light is optimised for precision aiming and meets Class 1 eye-safety requirements. The infra-red laser illumination also uses an eye-sage laser projecting a beam of covert illumination to more than 50 m. The infra-red and illumination beams are optimised for use with 2nd and 3rd generation night vision goggles. For low light and night operations without night vision goggles, the visible aiming light and visible illuminator are provided. Both the infra-red and visible illuminators are optimised for facial recognition at 25 m. When switched to either the infra-red or visible aim and illuminate mode, the LAM projects a laser aim point in the illumination area for target identification and immediate target engagement.

Specifications of Insight Technology AN/PEQ-6 laser aiming module

Length:115 mm

Width:41 mm

Height:51 mm

Weight: with batteries, 145 g

Wavelength:infra-red mode, 810-850 nm

Range:

infra-red aiming mode, >200 m

infra-red illuminating mode, >50 m

visible aiming mode, day, >50 m

visible aiming mode, night, >700 m

visible illuminator, >25 m

HK CAWS

HK CAWS is an idea from the early 1980s. In the early 1980s in the USA was started program CAWS – Close Assault Weapon System. The main goal of this program was to develop a new generation personal firearm, capable of firing high-impulse, multiple projectiles with effective range of 100-150 meters. Using of the multiple projectiles should increase the chances of hitting the target in combat. One of the teams entered in the CAWS race, was Heckler&Koch (Germany) coupled with Winchester/Olin corp. (USA).HK was responsible for developing a weapon, while Winchester/Olin were responsible for development of new types of ammunition. Generally, it was good idea, but from start it wasn’t going in right direction.

HK CAWS is a select-fire, smooth bore weapon, designed to fire special, high-presure shotshells, loaded with tungsten buckshot or fleschettes. HK CAWS utilised patented recoil-operated action with moving barrel and additional, self-regulated gas assist system (used to help unlock breechblock from the barrel if low-power ammo is used). The main goal of this system was to decrease felt recoil down to suitable level.

HK CAWS in appearance is somewhat similar to HK G11 advanced assault rifle, being built in bull-pup configuration, with integral carrying handle. Charging handle is located under the carrying handle, at the top of the receiver, and is ambidextrous. Standart HK-style safety-switch/fire selector has 3 position: Safe, Semi-auto, 3 rounds bursts. It was planned for this rifle to be useful on effective range around 150 meters with rate of fire of 200-300 rounds per minute.

The HK CAWS was tested by US Military, but the whole CAWS programme was closed, and the CAWS development freezed.

Techical specifications for HK CAWS

Type: select-fire, recoil operated (patented system with gas assit subsystem)

Gauge: 12 (special ammunition with belted case, 19,5е76 mm)

Length: 762-988 mm

Barrel length: 457-685 mm

Weigth 3,7-3,86 kg

Magazine: 10 rounds detachable box magazine

 

Winchester Model 1300 Defender

The Winchester Model 1300 Defender is unusual among US tactical shotguns in that, in addition to the traditional 12 gauge, it is also offered in 20 gauge. In North America, many experts have recommended that 20 gauge sporting guns be modified for tactical use by females and smaller framed men. The overall weight of the 20 gauge shotgun is also less than for a 12 gauge. The disadvantage to the 20 gauge is that the variety of ammunition available is far less than for 12 gauge. The military has not yet taken up this trend, but some police departments have.

The basic Model 1300 Defender is offered with polymer or wood furniture and an optional pistol grip. All Model 1300 shotguns have a light alloy receiver and a steel bolt carrier that houses a rotating bolt locking into a steel barrel extension. A Defender Combo with a five-shot magazine, a sporting barrel with screw-in choke tubes and wood furniture is also offered for those who desire a personal defence and sporting gun combination.

The Camp Defender features rifle-type sights for enhanced accuracy. A stainless steel version of the Model 1300 is also offered for marine or other hostile environments. This latter version not only has major components of stainless steel but key internal components are triple chrome plated for corrosion resistance. The Winchester Defender is marketed in Europe by FN HERSTAL. Their model is in 12 gauge, with the option of 457 mm or 356 mm barrels.

The Defender 8-Shot allows you to be prepared for any unseen obstacle that might come your way while in the backcountry. It’s easy to pack and carry, and handles both buckshot and rifled slugs easily. The rugged Defender 8-Shot features an eight-shot magazine capacity, 18″ cylinder bore barrel, non-glare metal surfaces and a lightweight composite stock and forearm. Removable front TRUGLO® fiber optic sight. Pistol grip and full stock included.

Spyderco Endura Lightweight 4

The Spyderco was established in 1976 as a manufacturer of tools for sharpening cutting tools is the headquarters in Golden, Colorado, his official entry into the cutlery came in 1981 with the introduction of the C01 Worker, a folding knife that fell a real stir in the world of “folder knives”. Lines and ingenious technical solutions for this supplier proved to be extremely innovative in this very early stage. The hole for fast one-handed opening is the salient feature of these knives but it seems that we need to Spyderco also the introduction of the pocket clip on the side of the handle and the typical serrated edge of the blade (Spyder edge).

The Endura model and its compact version called the Delica, were introduced in 1990 and are considered two founders in the history of folding knives lighter. The success was surprising and today, despite the wide variety of alternative models, are among the most popular products of the entire line Spyderco. From 90 to now have been made several improvements to the design, structure and materials but the general structure remained fairly unchanged.

The high quality of this product can be appreciated fully only with use. Initially you will be fascinated by its lightness and ergonomics, but what is surprising, long-term, is the robustness. The Endura is a craft knife, handmade with quality materials and artistic finishes. It ‘an industrial product with a price quite affordable, easily available on the market that creates worries in case of loss or breakage. Therefore, the user tends to use it without much care and do not pay too much attention to the preservation of the object.